On Jesus Leading

Jesus says, 

Follow Me. 

You do not need to know where the road will lead you, because I am your Heavenly Father. I would never take you into danger, and if we walk into a place of pain or hardship, you need not fear. I am taking you through it--you are not going it alone. 

I have a beautiful plan in store for you. Oh! I can't wait for you see where I am leading. You will be in awe of what I will do in you life, and your heart will sing my praises. That is the point of your life, dear one--to bring me glory. You can do that by leaving your fears at the foot of the cross--I will carry your burdens--and trusting me to lead you through the troubles of this world with the peace I bring you. 

I Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxieties on Him, for he cares for you.


Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.


John 14:27 Peace I live with you. My peace I give. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

On Striving. and Holiness

Jesus says,

I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have pulled you out of the mire and muck of your sin-laden life. I have redeemed you, dressed you in my purest garment, and written your name in the Book of Life. Never will I forget you or forsake you. 

Look at Israel. She was a nation with the most predictable cycle of sin. I would rescue her. She would serve me. Hard times would come. She would reject me. I would pursue her heart. She would come back to me begging for forgiveness. 

And I never loved her any less. She was my precious child--the one set apart for my purposes. 

You are now a part of my family. I created a new covenant so that you could enter into this beautiful relationship of love and mercy, of worship and holiness. All I ask of you is that you be consecrated unto me--set apart for my sacred use. I will do great things with your life if you let me. 

Love me with all of your heart and the obedience will follow. You will never be able to earn my acceptance, so stop striving. Know my love as yours and float in it, worship me for it, honor me because of it. 

You needn't worry about your eternal destination. If you confess with your mouth I am Lord, and you believe in your heart that my death and resurrection cover the cost of your sin you are saved.  

With an unquenchable passion for me, holiness will be your pursuit.

Devotions in the Snow

Some of you remember reading about my views on snow...if not, you can scroll down a bit and it'll become apparent.

I love snow.

Seriously, I think it's about the only thing that makes cold weather worth it, although I am less bothered by cold weather now that I've decided to wear things including (but not limited to) a coat, scarf, and gloves.  Getting older means I don't have to worry so much about looking "manly" by freezing my tail off in the snow.

In any case, yesterday I was looking out at a beautiful snow-covered world...and a now covered front walk and church walkway. I started shoveling our back walkway (the one we use to get to the church) and I saw one of the older guys at the church (really cool guy) arrive with his truck to plow the parking lot.

Then I started thinking I should quickly finish my walkway so I could get inside before this guy asked for help.

Then I stopped to consider that for a second. What the heck was I thinking? Did I really want this nice guy to have to shovel the church's front walk because I was too lazy and wanted to get back into my house and drink coffee?

So I decided to just go ahead and shovel the church's front walk.  It's not huge, but it's a decent size, and took an extra 20-30 minutes. The whole time I was surprised at how ok I was with doing extra work. Life and society have taught us over the years to do as little work as is necessary, and not to strain ourselves...but as soon as I decide to do extra work to help someone else, shoveling snow became...devotional.

There's no real point here, just wanted to share my thoughts...maybe go out and do something nice today.

On Contentment

Jesus, 

Change me. Restore me a teachable spirit. Help me release my old ways to you. 

[Philippians 4:11-13]

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.